Pricing exercise equipment according to usage

ABSTRACT

A method of pricing a network-enabled exercise device for sale to a customer is provided. The network-enabled exercise device includes an exercise device, a network connection and a display console. The method includes receiving usage information for predicting a future usage level of the exercise device, comparing the predicted future usage level with one or more threshold values and calculating a price for the exercise device in accordance with the comparison.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/206,876, filed on May 24, 2000, which is incorporatedby reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates to exercise equipment and computernetworking.

BACKGROUND

[0003] In the exercise industry, a relatively homogenous group of peoplefrequent fitness centers and use exercise equipment. These peopleinclude fitness-minded individuals in the middle to upper income levelwith a concern about their health. Currently, there is not an effectiveway to tailor the marketing of products and services to theseindividuals based upon their common interest in fitness and frequentvisits to the gym. Accordingly, fitness centers generate little or nomarketing revenue for advertising to their membership the products andservices of other companies.

[0004] Conversely, the Internet provides a conduit for deliveringmarketing and other information however does not provide an efficientway to tie marketing information with a homogenous group of individuals.Unfortunately, many portals and other websites have attempted to do thisvaried success. The costs associated with large advertising campaigns ontelevision, radio and even the Internet urging people to visit a websiteoften exceed any revenue stream they could reasonably generate. Inparticular, there are no existing systems capable of tying togethercustomers in the exercise industry with the power and direct marketingcapabilities of the Internet.

[0005] Others have clearly failed to recognize the capabilities of usingthe Internet in the fitness industry and with fitness equipment.Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,509 concerns controlling exerciseequipment remotely and U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,839, merely aggregatesexisting functions on a computer connected to the Internet with anexercise bicycle.

SUMMARY

[0006] Aspects of the invention include a method of pricing anetwork-enabled exercise device for sale to a customer. Thenetwork-enabled exercise device includes an exercise device, a networkconnection and a display console. The method includes receiving usageinformation for predicting a future usage level of the exercise device,comparing the predicted future usage level with one or more thresholdvalues and calculating a price for the exercise device in accordancewith the comparison.

[0007] Aspects of the invention provide at least one or more of thefollowing advantages. Suppliers of exercise equipment, services andinfrastructure for the equipment can subsidize the cost of the equipmentthrough various e-marketing campaigns. These suppliers collect revenuefrom parties interested in providing e-marketing campaigns in exchangefor a certain size audience viewing the e-marketing information on theexercise equipment. The fitness centers receive discounts, rebates, andin some cases revenue depending on the usage of the exercise equipmentby their membership population. Users have the advantage of accessingthe Internet and programs related to health and fitness for little or noadditional costs. The users can store/access their exercise historyonline and track their exercise regimen over a long period of time.

[0008] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are setforth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otherfeatures, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe description and drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting numerous network-enabledexercise devices (NED) connected to a network.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the architecture of anexemplary NED as shown in FIG. 1.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a flow chart diagram illustrating the market dynamicscreated between the NED, fitness centers, emarketers, and fitnesscustomers using the device.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a flow chart diagram of the operations associated withformulating the cost associated with the NED.

[0013]FIG. 5 is a flow chart diagram of the operations associated withcustomizing the content delivered to a display device on the NED.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a flow chart diagram of the operations associated withproviding incentives to users operating the NED.

[0015]FIG. 7 is a flow chart diagram of the operations used to control agraphical user interface designed to work with the NED.

[0016]FIG. 8 is flow chart diagram of the operations that controldisplay of selectable elements on the display device of the NED.

[0017]FIG. 9 is a flow chart diagram of the operations used toselectively reset one or more of the NEDs.

[0018]FIG. 10 is a flow chart diagram of the operations to delivercustomized content on the NED.

[0019]FIG. 11 includes screen images depicting aspects of the graphicuser interface used with the NED.

[0020]FIG. 12 is a flow chart diagram of the operations to select asecondary advertisement on a network-enabled exercise device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021]FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting numerous network-enabledexercise devices (NED) connected to a network 111. In oneimplementation, network 111 facilitates communication between NED localserver 102, NED local server 104, NED local server 106, and NED regionalserver 108. Each NED local server 102, 104, and 106 are located inrelative close proximity to a set of NEDs. For example, NED local server102 can be a general-purpose computer running a multi-tasking andmulti-user operating system to manage resources used by NEDs connectedto local network 110. Functions performed by NED local server 102 caninclude a variety of functions such as providing long-term storage forNEDs, temporary caching storage for processes running on NEDs, andoperating as a router device transmitting packets between the NEDs andNED regional server 108 over network 111.

[0022] Alternatively, network local server 102 can be a dedicated routerdesigned specifically to route packets between NEDs on local network 110and network 111. NED local server 104 and NED local server 106 providesimilar functionality for NEDs connected to local area network 112 andlocal area network 114 respectively.

[0023] NED regional server 108 is a clearinghouse for informationgenerated by NEDs connected to NED local server 102, NED local server104, and NED local server 106. For example, information transmitted froma NED connected to local area network 110 passes through NED localserver 102 and network 111 for further processing by NED regional server108. Information processed by NED regional server 108 is stored on NEDdatabase 109 for future reference. The processing performed by NEDregional server 108 includes statistical analysis of information,tracking personal preferences and workout routines for individuals usingthe NEDs, managing delivery of content to NEDs, and optionally managingoperation of NEDs remotely.

[0024] Information in NED database 109 is an integral component ofsystem 100. NED database 109 includes raw information concerning auser's exercise activity as well as use of the Internet, television,advertisements, and electronic-commerce (e-commerce). In addition, italso includes statistical information such as demographics andpsychographics describing the population of users exercising whileaccessing the Internet and other sources of information.

[0025] From a user's standpoint, Internet access enhances each exerciseactivity and provides additional information previously unavailable. Forexample, users can store their exercise history and engage insophisticated training programs using a combination of software loadedon the NED and the Internet. Further, users can also engage intraditional functions available on the Internet and the World Wide Websuch as gathering daily news from an on-line newspaper, reading emails,and listening to music, all while exercising on the NED.

[0026] Companies marketing products and services through the NED alsogain additional efficiencies and benefits. These businesses have animmediate channel to market their goods and services to a captiveaudience with a well-known demographic makeup. By actively collectinginformation voluntarily from each user and passively through theexercise regimen each practices, future on-line behavior and spendingpatterns can be more readily predicted. Additionally, informationcollected while the users access the Internet can also be used to betterunderstand their personal interests and hobbies. For example, NEDregional server 108 can generate statistically significant correlationsbetween users and their commercial preferences by tracking the web-sitesthey visit and the click-through hypertext links they access whileexercising.

[0027]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the architecture of anexemplary NED as shown in system 100 in FIG. 1. In one implementation, aNED includes a memory 202, an exercise device 204 connected toinput/output ports 206, a touch-panel display 205 also connected toinput/output ports 206, a processor 208, a secondary storage 210, and anetwork interface 212 all connected together by bus 214. I/O ports 206gather information from exercise device 204 and display the informationon touch panel display 205. The NED can also be produced as athin-client with lower costs and functionality by eliminating largerand/or more expensive components such as secondary storage 210. Forexample, instead of storing information locally on secondary storage210, the thin-client NED stores information over a network on a storagedevice.

[0028] The design of NED is modular and uses numerous commerciallyavailable off-the-shelf devices for ease of integration and costeffectiveness. Accordingly, I/O ports 206 are programmed to communicatewith conventional exercise device 204 and touch panel display 205 usinginterfaces accepted in the exercise device industry. For example, I/Oports 206 communicate with exercise device 204 using standard physicalserial interface protocols such as IEEE RS232 communications and othercommunication protocol such as the CSAFE communications standardtypically used in the exercise device equipment industry. Touch-paneldisplay 205 accepts input when user operates exercise device 204 andcontrols the various features on the exercise equipment. For example,touch-panel display 205 can be used to increase or decrease theresistance on a bicycle-type exercise device. It may also be used tocontrol other aspects of exercise device 204 such as the duration of thesession, the selection of a simulated terrain and/or the difficultylevel associated with operating the device. Alternate implementationscan control the NED using other types of control devices in conjunctionwith or in lieu of touch panel display 205 such as a touch pad, a trackball, or voice activation.

[0029] Processor 208 can be a general-purpose processor such as aPentium or X86 compatible processor developed by Intel Corporation ofSanta Clara. Secondary storage 210 can be a disk drive, CD-ROM, or anyother storage device used for long term storage of information. Networkinterface 212 provides access to a network such as the Internet througha variety of physical and logical network protocols including, forexample, TCP\IP and Novel NetWare.

[0030] Memory 202, I/O ports 206, processor 208, secondary storage 210,and network interface 212 can be packaged in a standard form-factor suchas a personal computer and integrated with existing exercise device 204and touch panel display 205 or other control devices as discussed above.This modular approach of integrating existing exercise equipment with acomputer provides a cost-effective and reliable platform for accessing alarge network such as the Internet. Alternatively, these variouscomponents can be integrated into a customized exercise device. Forexample, components such processor 208, secondary storage 210, networkinterface 212, can be integrated into an existing printed circuit boarddesign already in use on existing exercise devices. This designintegrated design is particularly useful if large volumes of the NEDsare manufactured.

[0031] When a user operates the NED, a variety of processes execute inmemory 202 including a graphical user interface (GUI) module 216,exercise equipment applications 218, a data collection module 220, anelectronic commerce and security module 222, a reliability module 224, acontent manager module 226, and a run-time environment 228. GUI module216 provides a specially designed user interface for the user to controla NED during exercise and access content-rich information on a networksuch as the Internet. GUI module 216 includes features speciallydesigned to operate with touch-panel display 205 while a user is engagedin cardiovascular exercise. As will be discussed in further detailbelow, GUI module 216 facilitates easy access to the Internet andassociated websites by enhancing hypertext links, Internet browsercontrols, and other selectable content. For example, GUI module 216facilitates easier control of exercise device 204 through touch paneldisplay 205 by adjusting the size and location of the control buttons.

[0032] Exercise equipment applications 218 include a variety ofapplications. These applications can be used by a user operating theNED, an exercise facility providing access to one or more NEDs, or a NEDservice provider company managing personal information on users andgenerating demographic information through NED regional server 108.These exercise equipment applications 218 include providing users withdatabase applications for storing their workout histories as well assuggesting specific workout programs for their particular exerciseneeds. Users can also utilize exercise equipment applications 218 tomanage their access to the Internet and engage in e-commercetransactions. For example, exercise equipment applications 218 can seekout websites and other locations on the Internet with informationtailored to a person's specific interests such as a schedule of sportingevents or new techniques for improving one's performance in variousathletic events.

[0033] Exercise equipment applications 218 can also be used inconjunction with systems for managing operations and membershipactivities at a health club facility where the NED is installed. Theseapplications can gather information on exercise devices to assist healthclub personnel to determine when to perform maintenance, whether topurchase additional exercise devices, and what types and quantity ofadditional exercise devices to purchase. The applications can also beused to transmit special messages from the health club to a specificuser such as payment of dues, marketing of membership bonus programscurrently available, or other specific communications.

[0034] Data collection module 220 includes a set of routines that gatherreal time information from exercise device 204 related to a user'sexercise regimen as well as information on Internet access. Routines indata collection module 220 provide an application programming interface(API) for exercise equipment applications 218 and generate informationsuitable for transmission over bus 214 through network interface 212.For example, this can include opening specific TCP/IP ports over theInternet to transmit data as well as packaging information into objectscompatible with an object-oriented program language such as Java. In oneimplementation, data collection module 220 includes client and serverroutines that execute on NEDs and servers such as NED local server 102and NED regional server 108 respectively.

[0035] Electronic commerce and security module 222 provides routinesuseful in transacting business over the Internet and securing thecorresponding information with suitable encryption safeguards. Theseroutines include obtaining keys for public-private key encryption aswell as controlling the download of software from trusted sources on theInternet. This module also includes order forms for gathering personalinformation useful in electronic commerce such as name, shippingaddress, credit card information, and purchase order information andtransporting the gathered information using security mechanisms likesecure-socket layer (SSL).

[0036] Reliability module 224 simplifies managing a large number of NEDsconnected to a network. Routines in reliability module 224 gather usageinformation on an NED to schedule preventative maintenance on the NEDand troubleshoot problems as they arise. In addition, reliability module224 also includes specialized routines that monitor operation of the NEDand reset the NED as appropriate. Additional information on resettingthe NED is discussed in further detail below.

[0037] Content manager module 226 determines what content is displayedon touch panel display 205 to the user. Content includes text, images,and multimedia information that may be of interest to the user. Usingvarious processes described below, content can be selectively displayedaccording to personal characteristics of a user and marketing criteriaoutlined by vendors of specific products or services. Content managermodule 226 also controls the download of multi-media files over network111 through network interface 212 for storage on a database located onsecondary storage 210.

[0038] Run-time environment 228 manages various resources on the NED toexecute modules in memory 202 and control operation of exercise device204. Accordingly, run-time environment 228 can be a real-time operatingsystem or a traditional general-purpose operating system such as MS-DOS,Windows, or UNIX.

[0039]FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram illustrating the market dynamicscreated using NEDs in a fitness center. The NED alters the traditionalbusiness models used by fitness centers whereby the purchase of exerciseequipment is offset by the sale of memberships. This paradigm shift infitness center operations can be attributed, in part, to the generationof e-marketing revenue and providing easy access to the Internet. Ingeneral, e-marketing includes at least three different forms of valuablebusiness opportunities: advertising specific products and services overthe Internet to develop name recognition and strong branding; using theInternet for direct marketing and encouraging a user to take immediateaction in the purchase of a product or service over the Internet; andcompany sponsorship campaigns for the purpose of getting a user toaccess a particular web-service providing additional content orinformation. These powerful e-marketing opportunities combine the impactof television, the targeting capabilities of direct mail, and theinteractivity of the Internet. On a large scale, a network of NEDsprovides a platform for traditional marketing and e-marketingopportunities, all of which can be customized using demographic andpsychographic information.

[0040] In this business model, supplier 302 invests in the equipment,infrastructure and services required to integrate and connect exerciseequipment to the network as NEDs. Netpulse Commuications, Inc. of SanFrancisco, Calif. is one company that operates as supplier 302 andsupplies the equipment, infrastructure and services required toestablish NEDs in various fitness centers throughout numerous geographicregions. Supplier 302 can also include a company that manufacturesexercise equipment already equipped with processors and networkconnectivity for accessing the Internet.

[0041] This business model is a “sponsor media customer model” becausenetwork sponsorship money raised through e-marketing offsets the capitalinvestment necessary to purchase, integrate, and/or manufacture NEDs. Inone implementation, supplier 302 supplies equipment infrastructure tofitness center 304 priced according to the estimated usage by users 306.Fitness center 304 attracts and retains additional users 306 to itsfacility by providing exercise equipment having Internet access (NEDs)and value-added applications for use with the NEDs. By attracting andretaining additional users 306, the fitness centers generate additionalrevenue. Further, the NEDs can also be used to justify the higher duesin more upscale centers even though the center does not specificallycharge for their usage.

[0042] In return, fitness center 304 allows e-marketers to providee-marketing to users 306. For example, fitness center 304 allow thedisplay of sponsorship information, advertising, and direct marketingcampaigns on the NEDs used by users 306 in their facilities. Ase-marketing revenue 308 increases, those parties providing exerciseequipment network infrastructure such as Netpulse Communications, Inc.offset the equipment costs and begin generating profits. If fitnesscenter 304 meets or exceeds estimated user usage levels, it may alsoobtain larger rebates on the equipment or, in some cases, share in thee-marketing revenue received by exercise equipment supplier 302.

[0043]FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowchart diagrams of the operationsassociated with formulating the price of a NED. Usage-based pricing ofequipment is important as it enables fitness centers to justifyinstalling new equipment that would otherwise require a large capitaloutlay or large periodic payments. Instead, the e-marketing revenuestreams generated indirectly by users operating a network of the NEDsoffset these costs. For example, e-marketing revenues are generated whene-marketers pay for various e-marketing campaigns and through usersparticipating in e-commerce transactions while operating the NEDs.

[0044] A usage pricing method as described herein is one of the manyexercise equipment applications 218 depicted in FIG. 2. In FIG. 4A,usage pricing method 400 receives usage information (step 402). In oneimplementation, each fitness center gathers specific usage informationmanually by gathering statistical information on either, its overallfacility such as total members, total exercise equipment and totalmember visits per day, or its specific fitness members' typical exerciseregimen or by surveying the user population at the fitness center. Thistype of information can be gathered by the fitness center on a regularbasis such as daily, monthly, bi-annually, annually, or as deemednecessary by the parties involved. This information on actual usage isprovided to supplier 302 and used directly to determine the price of theNED. The price of the NED can include the periodic service fee chargedto the fitness center operating the exercise equipment as well as anypurchase costs associated with purchasing the NED.

[0045] Another implementation uses the Internet and the World Wide Webto collect data from fitness centers. Using a customized surveyavailable on the web, operators of fitness centers provide statisticalinformation on the fitness center described above and request acorresponding quote for the NEDs. This statistical information isprocessed by a computer program that automatically determines pricinginformation for the NEDs as described in further detail below.

[0046] In another implementation, the usage level of the exerciseequipment is estimated from prior usage information, information relatedto the members using the NED and the operation of the facility andspecific exercise equipment. Prior usage information from the fitnesscenter is gathered, for example from a survey on the Internet, todetermine if there is an increasing trend or a decreasing trend in thefuture usage of the NED. Future usage levels are predicted by combiningeither the fitness facility's data with a historical model based onother NED installations, or demographic trend information withstatistical information about the members using the exercise equipmentin the facility. The statistical information relates to age, sex,weight, education, income level, and geographic location. For example,increasing usage levels of the NED in the fitness center combined withan increase in the number of females in the fitness center can be usedto estimate the future actual usage levels of the NED over time. Ingeneral, the predictive power of this approach depends not only on theaccuracy of the information but the appropriateness of the model used toprocess and interpret the information.

[0047] Usage levels of the NED can also be predicted by periodicallymeasuring and generating a set of metrics from the statisticalinformation. These metrics corresponding to information such as age,sex, weight, education, income level, and geographic location can beused to estimate usage. Other metrics can also be included if they areuseful in identifying future users of the exercise equipment and afrequency in which they are likely to exercise.

[0048] Alternatively, usage information can also be gathered inreal-time by monitoring the NEDs installed in each fitness center andcollecting the information in a central location such as NED regionalserver 108. Real-time collection of usage information has the advantagesof being accurate without requiring additional work from the fitnesscenter. It also provides objective information on the usage of the NED.The usage information includes statistical information related to theoperation of both the overall exercise facility and the specificexercise equipment in the facility. If the facility does not alreadyhave NEDs installed, usage information related to conventional exerciseequipment can be utilized and extrapolated for estimating usage of theNEDs.

[0049] To determine how much the NED is to be discounted, usage pricingmethod 400 compares the usage with one or more threshold values (step404). If usage does not exceed a first threshold value (step 406) then afitness center may be charged the highest service fee rate above thebase rate in the pricing schedule (step 412). However, if the usageexceeds a first threshold value but does not exceed a second thresholdvalue (step 408) then the fitness centers may be charged only a higherservice fee above the base rate (step 414). Finally, if the usageexceeds a second threshold value but does not exceed a third thresholdvalue (step 410) then the fitness center will be charged a base ratewith no service fee (step 416). Finally, if the usage exceeds a thirdthreshold value (step 410) the fitness center will not be charged eithera base rate or service fee for the NED (step 418).

[0050] Threshold values used to compare against usage informationinclude a frequency the users operate an exercise device; the durationor length of time the user operates the exercise equipment; thefrequency a user views e-marketing content, and the absolute number ofusers using the NED. For example, the viewing frequency threshold can becompared with the frequency a user views e-marketing content on thedisplay device of the NED while exercising.

[0051] Fitness centers can also reduce costs associated with NEDs if theactual usage exceeds the initial estimated or projected usage providedby the fitness center. Referring to FIG. 4B, fitness centers charge abase rate and service fee in steps 412, 414, and 416 can receive rebateson the periodic fees they are charged. Usage pricing method 400 comparesactual usage with estimated or projected usage (step 420) and if theactual usage is higher, (step 422) a rebate for a portion of theperiodic fee charged to the fitness center is provided (step 424).

[0052] A similar scheme is applied to fitness centers whose estimatedusage exceeds the threshold for charging no base rate or service fee(step 418). In these fitness centers, actual usage is also compared withestimated usage in FIG. 4B (step 426). If actual usage exceeds arequisite e-marketing threshold (step 428) then these fitness centerscan potentially share a revenue generated from the various e-marketingactivities (step 428). In some cases, this e-marketing threshold mayneed to be set higher, for example, if profit margins on the e-marketingare small or relatively low compared to the NED cost. Using this pricingmodel, fitness equipment used by these latter fitness centers shiftsfrom becoming a capital expenditure to becoming a source of revenue.

[0053]FIG. 5 is a flowchart diagram of the operations associated withcustomizing content delivered to a display device on a network-enabledexercise device (NED). Content customization process 500 receivespersonalization and usage information for a user (step 502) and receivese-marketing parameters associated with the e-marketing campaign (step504). For example, personalization and usage information can includeage, weight, height, demographics, psychographics, and any otherinformation useful in customizing content.

[0054] E-marketing parameters are determined by the e-marketers andcorrespond to users with specific personalization and usage information.For example, e-marketing parameters can be used to target a specificuser audience having a certain specific combination of demographicand/or psychographic characteristics such as income level, gender, andinterest specific sporting activities.

[0055] Content customization method 500 selects appropriate e-marketingcontent by comparing the personalization and usage information with thee-marketing parameters set by the e-marketers (step 506). Once thee-marketing information is selected, the location of the e-marketingcontent must be determined. If e-marketing content is not already storedon the NED (step 508) then e-marketing content is obtained from a LAN orWAN Internet server such as a computer with a large storage device (step511). If the e-marketing content is on the NED (step 508) thene-marketing content is obtained directly from a storage deviceassociated with the NED (step 510). In both cases one or morethird-parties are notified that an impression of the e-marketing contenthas been made (step 512) and e-marketing content is displayed on adisplay device (step 513). These third parties can include, a companyrunning the e-marketing campaign, a third party audit company, or athird party serving the content.

[0056] The e-marketing content is displayed for a predetermined periodof time (step 514) at which point the process is repeated. If a userselects the e-marketing content before this predetermined time periodelapses (step 516) then a third-party is notified that the content hasbeen selected (step 518).

[0057] Once a user has selected content, secondary content may also bedisplayed such as TV commercials, movies, and other advertisements.Specifically, content customization method 500 determines if thesecondary content is available for display (step 520) before actuallydisplaying the secondary content (step 522) or potentially even tertiarycontent associated with the secondary content (step 524). Although onlythree types of displays are mentioned multiple types of content can beadded as needed under the circumstances. For example, additional contentcan be chained together that increasingly focuses the user on a specificproduct or service. The content includes video and audio clips providedin a number of different formats such as banner advertisements, webpages, pop-up displays, and other types of content. Alternatively, if nosecondary or additional content is available or if content customizationmethod 500 is programmed not to display such additional content, thedisplay process is complete. This process of displaying e-marketingcontent on the display device of the NED repeats as long as the useroperates the NED.

[0058]FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram of the operations associated withproviding incentives for users to operate the NED. This includesproviding users with both active and lifetime usage points for using theNED over a period of time. Active usage points are usage points accruedincrementally for each additional period of time a user operates theNED. For example, an active usage point can be awarded for eachadditional mile a user operates a bicycle-type NED. Active usage pointsencourage each user to operate the NED for increasingly longer periodsof time during each workout.

[0059] In contrast, lifetime usage points are used to encourage eachuser to return to the fitness center's NED over a longer period of timesuch as months or years. The lifetime usage points represent theaggregate total time a user has worked out on various pieces of NEDs.Unlike active usage points, lifetime usage points cannot be spent andtherefore generally increase over time and continuous usage. Thelifetime usage points can be used to categorize users into highercategories for receiving bonuses and promotions. For example, riding anexercise bicycle 1000 measured miles over a period of one year or lesscan qualify a user for 1000 lifetime usage points and eligibility forlarger bonuses or awards. These bonuses or awards can be discounts tothe fitness center or can be tangible products such as workout gear,exercise equipment, or other incentives.

[0060] In operation, incentive award process 600 receives general usageinformation corresponding to a particular user (step 602). Thisinformation can be gathered in real-time from the NED or can be gatheredmanually at the fitness center and entered into a database such as NEDdatabase 109 connected to NED regional server 108.

[0061] Incentive award process 600 processes the general usageinformation and increases the active and lifetime usage points for theuser (step 604). If the users lifetime usage point totals exceeds one ormore predetermined milestones/threshold levels (step 606) then the useris provided a bonus/award commensurate with the specific milestone level(step 608). For example, if a users lifetime usage points exceeds 1000units then a user can be placed in a “gold” program where everyadditional active usage point earned receives double credit.

[0062] Incentive award process 600 also allows a user to spend activeusage points on a variety of goods and services. In one implementation,the user utilizes electronic-commerce (e-commerce) available on the NEDto use the active usage points. In an additional implementation, theuser can use the active usage points in e-commerce transactions fromother devices other than the NED such as a personal computer, personaldigital assistant (PDA), or even a cell-phone device. These devices canbe operated at home, work or a mobile setting and used to access a website on the Internet configured to exchange the active usage points withgoods, services, and other forms of currency.

[0063] If the user decides to spend active usage points (step 610) thenincentive award process 600 automatically decreases active usage pointsaccording to the amount the user spends (step 612). The user thenobtains products/services, rewards or discounts on products as a resultof the transaction (step 614). Alternatively, if the user chooses not tospend any active usage points, the user simply accrues the usage pointsto spend at a later point in time.

[0064] Fitness centers can also customize incentive award process 600for special promotions and marketing campaigns. For example, incentiveaward process 600 can award additional usage points for frequentvisitors of the fitness center. This type of program would award usersadditional points for visiting the fitness center on a regular basis inaddition to awarding usage points for operating the exercise equipment.To promote use of the NED during low-utilization periods in the fitnesscenter (e.g. 2:00 P.M. on Sundays), incentive award process 600 can beprogrammed to provide additional active usage points to users operatingthe NED during this slow time period.

[0065]FIG. 7 is a flowchart diagram of the operations used to control agraphical user interface (GUI) for use with a NED. The GUI is animportant aspect of the NED as it defines the users experience whileexercising on and operating the NED. Initially, the GUI displays contenton the display device of the NED (step 702). This content can includevarious e-marketing information such as advertisements, direct-marketingopportunities, and sponsorships as well as information not strictlyclassified as e-marketing content such as content available innewspapers, commercial publications, bulletin boards, Internetnewsgroups and information sent through emails.

[0066] The GUI also displays controls for accessing the Internet andcontrolling the NED through the display device (step 704). Thesecontrols can be used to operate the NED as well as configure the usersprofile used in conjunction with the NED. For example, these controlscan be used to set the duration of the exercise session and thedifficulty setting on the NED. The controls can also be used tocustomize the users profile including personal information such as age,weight, height, target pulse rate, and target calories.

[0067] In one implementation, a first portion of the display device ispartitioned to display content and a second portion of the displaydevice is partitioned to display one or more controls for controllingthe exercise device. Selectable elements on the display device receiveinput from the user and control operation of the exercise device. In oneimplementation, a touch-screen displays one or more buttons that theuser touches to control operation of the exercise device. GUI receivescontrol input (step 706) and passes this control information on tocontrol the exercise machine (step 708). If the user input is not tocontrol the exercise device, it can be to modify the configuration ofthe GUI. For example, the user may request the GUI to remove thecontrols for the exercise machine from the display screen. If the usertouches the proper selectable element on the display screen to removecontrols (step 710) then the GUI removes controls from the displayscreen and increases the area on the display screen to display content(step 712).

[0068] Selectable elements such as buttons used to control the exercisedevice can be placed in a border portion of the display device. Thesecontrols are removed from the display device by sliding the borderportion like a drawer into the outer edge of the display whereby theydisappear from view. Meanwhile, the content in the first portion of thedisplay device is increased to occupy that portion along the borderwhere the controls were originally displayed.

[0069] Interface 1102 and interface 1104 in FIG. 11 illustrate anexemplary GUI consistent with the present invention. Interface 1102depicts a GUI with controls in a first portion on the left-hand borderand content in a second portion in the field of the display. Interface1104 depicts a GUI having a second portion with controls on both theleft and right borders of the display and content in the field portionof the display.

[0070] In both examples, the bottom section of interface 1102 and 1104displays advertisements and/or e-marketing related information. Byplacing the advertisements and/or e-marketing information adjacent tometers displaying information important to the user while working out,it is more likely that the advertisement information will be consideredor possibly “clicked on”. For example, a user checking meteredinformation such as the duration of the workout or the calories burnedduring the work out invariably will also consider the advertisementsplaced near the meter values and as a result may engage in an e-commercetransaction.

[0071]FIG. 8 is a flowchart diagram of the operations that controldisplay of selectable elements on the display device the NED. Selectableelements displayed on the display device on the NED are modified forease of use by users of an exercise device. This user interface providesa combination of graphic content, hypertext, text, video, audio, andother types of information on the display device (step 802). As needed,the user interface scales bit map graphic information and hypertextlinks such that they can be readily displayed together on the displaydevice.

[0072] At the user's discretion, the interface receives an indication toincrease the font size used for displaying hypertext and otherselectable elements on the display device (step 804). By increasing thefont size of hypertext and other selectable elements, the user is ableto select these elements with greater ease while exercising on the NED.

[0073] The interface increases the font size of hypertext and otherselectable elements on the display but not other content displayed onthe display device (step 806). By increasing the font size of theselectable elements independent of the graphic images, the user can readhypertext more easily and thereby facilitate easier selection of theselectable elements containing text. For example, increasing the fontsize of hyperlinked text is increased but the adjacent images are notincreased in size and/or resolution. As necessary, user interface canalso reduce the area occupied by the text and graphic content on thedisplay device that is not selectable (step 808). This accommodates forthe increased size of hypertext and other selectable elements on thedisplay device.

[0074]FIG. 9 is a flowchart diagram of the operations used toselectively reset one or more NEDs on a network. This method ofselectively resetting NEDs improves the reliability/uptime and reducesthe amount of administration necessary to manage these devices in anenvironment such as a fitness center with few information technologypersonnel.

[0075] Each NED starts operation when the device is powered on (step902). Powering on each device can include providing power to theexercise portion of the device as well as providing power to theprocessor portion of the device used to access the Internet and controloperation of the exercise device. A reboot timer is reset to apredetermined time period (step 904). The reboot timer begins countingdown units of time immediately after being reset. For example, a reboottimer may be reset to count down 300 seconds. The reboot timercommunicates with the NED over a input-output interface yet operates asa separate device from the NED to ensure proper reset of the NED whennecessary.

[0076] A selective reset process 900 determines at a predeterminedinterval if the reboot timer period has elapsed (step 906). Thispredetermined time period is less than the time set in the reboot timer.If the reboot timer has elapsed, selective reset process 900 determinesif an “ok” signal has been transmitted from the NED (step 908). If the“ok” signal was transmitted from the NED, then the reboot timer periodis reset to the predetermined time period (step 904) and the selectivereset process 900 is repeated. Alternatively, if the “ok” signal has notbeen transmitted, selective reset process 900 sends a “reboot” signal toprocessor causing it to reset. In one implementation, the NED transmitsan “ok” signal in a command string transmitted over a serial portconnected to an embedded processor executing selective reset process900. The command string contains a one character command optionallyfollowed by a four character datafield. The embedded processor executingselective reset process 900 reads the characters off the serial port andperforms the operation specified in FIG. 9.

[0077]FIG. 10 is a flowchart diagram of the operations used to delivercustomized content on a NED. These operations are used to customize theinterface a user sees according to user profile information describingthe user and the list of available content and services being providedto the NED. A user logs into the NED with a login and passwordcombination (step 1002). The NED may request the user enter user profileinformation into the system the first time the user logs in.Alternatively, the user may also update existing user profileinformation with details about the user such as age, weight, gender, andother vital statistics. In addition to helping customize content, thisinformation can be used in association with using the NED.

[0078] Once logged in, the NED then retrieves user profile information(step 1006) stored either locally on a storage device on the NED or overa network and receives a list of available content and services (step1004). Custom content process 1000 compares available content andservices with parameters in the user profile (step 1008). For example,information on the user profile relating to age, sex, income and otherpersonal characteristics may be used in this comparison.

[0079] These values are compared with corresponding metrics defined bythe content and service providers according to the markets they areinterested in targeting. Accordingly, custom content process 1000 thenselects available content and services based on the comparisons (step1010). At this step, custom content process 1000 selects content andservices that most closely matches the user profile information. Customcontent process 1000 then formats the content and services for displayon the display device (step 1012). For example, FIG. 11 shows interface1102 and interface 1104 with content customized for a particular user.Specifically, interface 1102 includes several advertisements that may beof interest to the particular user on the NED. Similarly, categories ofinformation on interface 1104 are also selected because of the potentialinterest in the user operating the NED.

[0080] If the user profile changes over time (step 1016) this process isrepeated and the content is customized according to those changes.Further, if content or services change over time (step 1018) the processis also repeated again whereby new content or services are alsoselected.

[0081]FIG. 12 is a flowchart diagram of the operations used forgenerating customized e-marketing content on the display device of aNED. Unlike the pure content the user may subscribe to and read everyday, e-marketing content includes information being advertised orpitched to the user as a potentially interesting product or service theuser should purchase. Accordingly, customizing the e-marketing contentalso has advantages that customized content also provides. For example,customizing e-marketing content improves the effectiveness ofe-marketing campaigns by providing a user with a secondary, tertiary,and additional e-marketing content related to a selected primarye-marketing content. Multiple levels of related content allow thee-marketing campaigns to further focus the user on a particular productor service being offered.

[0082] At first, custom advertisement process 1200 receives a userprofile for the user operating the NED (step 1202) and receivesselection criteria for selecting an e-marketing content(step 1204). Theuser profile and selection criteria for the e-marketing campaign arecompared (step 1206). For example, user profile information includesdemographics, psychographics, historical actions, and current actions.Demographics include such information such as gender, age, height,weight, and income. Psychographic information includes information onpersonal interests and activities such as sports and entertainment.Historical actions address actions a user has taken in the past such astheir workout regimen and websites visited on the Internet whileoperating the NED. User profile information also includes currentactions reported in real-time such as watching particular sports eventson TV, listening to classical music from a radio station on theInternet, identifying where the user is geographically located, anddetermining the time of day as the user is exercising.

[0083] Selection of the primary e-marketing content is made according tothe comparison (step 1208). The specific selection criteria for theprimary e-marketing content generally depends on specific campaignsdesigned by the e-marketers. The selection criteria developed from thesecampaign descriptions include user targeting information and variouscampaign metrics for measuring the efficacy of the advertisements. Oncethe primary advertisements are selected, custom e-marketing process 1200also downloads secondary and if appropriate tertiary e-marketing contentin preparation for subsequent display of the content (step 1212). Toobviate download delay times for the user, the secondary and tertiarycontent can be downloaded and stored on each NED at night while the useris not operating the NED. Secondary e-marketing content is stored on astorage device such as on a hard-disk on the NED or a server connectedto the network. Custom e-marketing process displays e-marketing contenton the display device of the NED (step 1216) meanwhile a third-party isnotified the primary e-marketing content impression was presented to auser(step 1218). If the user does not select the primary e-marketingcontent this process is repeated with a new primary e-marketing content(step 1220).

[0084] However, if the user selects a primary e-marketing content (step1220), a third-party is notified that the primary e-marketing contenthas been selected (step 1222) and custom advertisement process 1200retrieves a secondary e-marketing content from storage on the NED (step1224). This secondary e-marketing content is then displayed on thedisplay (step 1226). For example, a secondary e-marketing content caninclude a high-impact “TV commercial” presented on the display device orinteractive question and answer application for the user to inquiry moreinformation on the particular product or service.

[0085] If the user then selects the secondary e-marketing content (step1228) then custom advertisement process 1200 notifies a third-party thatthe secondary advertisement has also been selected (step 1230).Alternatively, if the user does not select the secondary e-marketingcontent, custom advertisement process 1200 repeats the overall stepswith a new set of primary and secondary advertisements.

[0086] A number of embodiments of the invention have been described.Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of pricing a network-enabled exercisedevice, the network-enabled exercise device including an exercisedevice, a network connection and a display console, the methodcomprising: receiving usage information for predicting a future usagelevel of the exercise device; comparing the predicted future usage levelwith one or more threshold values; and calculating a price for theexercise device in accordance with the comparison.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 ; wherein the receiving usage information includes: providinginput forms on a computer to receive usage information; and sending theusage information over a network for further processing.
 3. The methodof claim 1 , wherein the usage information includes a usage historyidentifying past usage by the customer of other exercise devices of atype similar to the exercise device included in the network-enabledexercise device.
 4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the usageinformation includes a set of metrics to be applied to the usage historyto identify likely future users of the network-enabled exercise deviceand a frequency with which they are likely to use the network-enabledexercise device.
 5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the set of metricsincludes one or more characteristics selected from the group ofcharacteristics including age, sex, weight, education, income level, andgeographic location of likely future users of the network-enabledexercise device.
 6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the threshold valuesare derived from a measurement of a frequency with which users operatethe network-enabled exercise device over a period of time.
 7. The methodof claim 1 , wherein the threshold values are derived from a measurementof a duration for which users operate the network-enabled exercisedevice over a period of time.
 8. The method of claim 1 , wherein thethreshold values are derived from a measurement of a frequency withwhich users view e-marketing content displayed on the display console.9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the frequency with which users viewe-marketing content is determined by measuring a click-through rate ofusers selecting advertisements displayed on the display console.
 10. Themethod of claim 1 , wherein the price for the exercise device iscalculated based on revenues from displaying e-marketing content on thedisplay console of the network-enabled exercise device.
 11. The methodof claim 10 , further comprising: providing a portion of the revenuesfrom displaying e-marketing content to the customer if the actual usageof the network-enabled exercise device exceeds one of the thresholdvalues.
 12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the portion of revenues isprovided as a rebate against a purchase price paid by the customer. 13.The method of claim 11 , wherein the portion of revenues exceeds anypurchase price paid by the customer.
 14. The method of claim 1 , whereinthe comparing and calculating are automatically processed on a computer.15. An apparatus comprising a computer-readable storage medium tangiblyembodying program instructions for pricing a network-enabled exercisedevice having an exercise device, a network connection and a displayconsole, the program instructions including instructions operable tocause a processor to: receive usage information for predicting a futureusage level of the exercise device; compare the predicted future usagelevel with one or more threshold values; and calculate a price for theexercise device in accordance with the comparison.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 15 , wherein the instructions to receive usage information furtherincludes instructions to: provide input forms on a computer to receiveusage information; and send the usage information over a network forfurther processing.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the usageinformation includes a usage history identifying past usage by thecustomer of other exercise devices of a type similar to the exercisedevice included in the network-enabled exercise device.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 17 , wherein the usage information includes a set ofmetrics to be applied to the usage history to identify likely futureusers of the network-enabled exercise device and a frequency with whichthey are likely to use the network-enabled exercise device.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 18 , wherein the set of metrics includes one or morecharacteristics selected from the group of characteristics includingage, sex, weight, education, income level, and geographic location oflikely future users of the network-enabled exercise device.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 15 , wherein the threshold values are derived from ameasurement of a frequency with which users operate the network-enabledexercise device over a period of time.
 21. The apparatus of claim 15 ,wherein the threshold values are derived from a measurement of aduration for which users operate the network-enabled exercise deviceover a period of time.
 22. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein thethreshold values are derived from a measurement of a frequency withwhich users view e-marketing content displayed on the display console.23. The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein the frequency with which usersview e-marketing content is determined by measuring a click-through rateof users selecting advertisements displayed on the display console. 24.The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the price for the exercise device iscalculated based on revenues from displaying e-marketing content on thedisplay console of the network-enabled exercise device.
 25. Theapparatus of claim 24 , further comprising: providing a portion of therevenues from displaying e-marketing content to the customer if theactual usage of the network-enabled exercise device exceeds one of thethreshold values.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the portion ofrevenues is provided as a rebate against a purchase price paid by thecustomer.
 27. The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the portion ofrevenues exceeds any purchase price paid by the customer.
 28. Theapparatus of claim 15 , wherein the comparing and calculating areautomatically processed on a computer.